Origin
Ironton, MO
Afternoon in Ironton on Sunday
Local time
1:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
44°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ironton, MO to Kansas City, MO
Drive Time
6h 13m
Distance
295.7 mi
476 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$45
one way
Photo: Matthew Chirinos
Trip Overview
Spanning 295.7 miles across Missouri, this route connects Ironton to Kansas City in approximately 6 hours and 13 minutes. It is a straightforward, highway-focused drive that is best tackled in a single day, though the duration makes it a full commitment behind the wheel. You should budget roughly $45 for fuel to cover the journey from the state’s interior to the Kansas City metro area. Because the route stays within the Midwest, you will experience a consistent regional feel as you transition from the smaller communities near Ironton to the larger transit corridors. While it is certainly feasible for a day trip, the length warrants careful planning to ensure you arrive at your destination before fatigue sets in.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
147.8 miles from Ironton, MO
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 28m into the drive .
Drive Character
Expect a trip defined by high-speed efficiency, as 92% of the journey takes place on highways. You will utilize a combination of MO 21 and MO 47 before transitioning onto the major artery of I-70. The drive features a significant 176.4-mile stretch on I-70, which serves as the backbone of your journey and dictates the overall pace. While the initial segments allow for a bit of variety, the vast majority of your time will be spent cruising on well-maintained interstate lanes. This creates a predictable driving experience that is ideal for those who prefer steady, uninterrupted progress over winding, technical backroads.
Most of the miles stay on highways, which makes pacing and fuel planning easier than turn-by-turn city driving.
There are about 22 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
I 70 is the longest continuous segment at about 176.4 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on I 70 and MO 47. You will hit about 12 points where you need to pay attention to lane position or signs. The trickiest moment comes around 72.6 miles in near US 50; MO 47.
Route Complexity
5/10
Moderate - straightforward overall, but long enough or busy enough to require pacing
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 295.7 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 72.6 miles (US 50; MO 47): Lane positioning matters here; at 73.1 miles (MO 47): Lane positioning matters here; at 104.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 12 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
72.6 mi into trip
|
~1h 51m in
|
US 50; MO 47
At end of road, turn left onto US 50; MO 47
Lane positioning matters here
Use the straight lane.
5
73.1 mi into trip
|
~1h 52m in
|
MO 47
Turn right onto MO 47
Lane positioning matters here
Use the right lane.
6
104.2 mi into trip
|
~2h 40m in
Take the ramp toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia, Jonesburg
Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia, Jonesbu...
9
294.9 mi into trip
|
~6h 12m in
|
I 670; I 70 Alt
Keep slight left at fork onto I 670; I 70 Alt toward I 670 West, I 70 Alternate, I 35 South: Topeka, Wichita
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
Exit 2L
Toward I 670 West, I 70 Alternate, I 35 South:...
9
295.2 mi into trip
|
~6h 12m in
Take the exit toward 13th Street, Downtown
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 2P
Toward 13th Street, Downtown
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Ironton, MO to Kansas City, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Jonesburg along the way.
Jonesburg
104.2 mi in
|
~2h 40m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| I 70 | 176.4 mi | 3h 14m |
| MO 47 | 51.5 mi | 1h 22m |
| MO 21 | 38.6 mi | 56m |
| George Brett Super Highway | 6.8 mi | 9m |
| MO 30 | 6.2 mi | 9m |
| North Main Street | 6.2 mi | 8m |
| Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway | 5.6 mi | 6m |
| Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway | 1.8 mi | 2m |
Longest stretch:
I 70
— 176.4 mi, about 3h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ironton, MO and Kansas City, MO.
1
Start on Russell Street
0.2 mi
·
29 sec
·
Russell Street
2
At end of road, turn left onto MO 21
4.3 mi
·
6 min
·
MO 21
3
Turn left onto MO 21; MO N
10 mi
·
14 min
·
MO 21; MO N
4
Continue on MO 21; MO 32
20 mi
·
29 min
·
MO 21; MO 32
5
Continue on MO 21; MO 47
3.7 mi
·
5 min
·
MO 21; MO 47
6
Turn left onto MO 47
20 mi
·
34 min
·
MO 47
7
At end of road, turn left onto MO 30; MO 47
6.2 mi
·
9 min
·
MO 30; MO 47
8
Turn straight onto US Historic 66; MO 47
1.0 mi
·
1 min
·
South Commercial Avenue
9
Turn left onto MO 47
6.2 mi
·
8 min
·
North Main Street
10
At end of road, turn left onto US 50; MO 47
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
US 50; MO 47
Use the straight lane.
11
Turn right onto MO 47
31 mi
·
47 min
·
MO 47
Use the right lane.
12
Take the ramp
0.2 mi
·
12 sec
Toward I 70 West, US 40 West: Columbia, Jonesburg
13
Merge onto I 70; US 40
176 mi
·
3 hr 14 min
·
I 70; US 40
Use the none lane.
14
Continue on I 70
2.7 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the none lane.
15
Continue on I 70
1.8 mi
·
2 min
·
Clifton J. Scott Memorial Highway
Use the none / straight / slight right lanes.
16
Continue on I 70
2.9 mi
·
3 min
·
Truman/Eisenhower Presidential Highway
Use the none lane.
17
Continue on I 70
6.8 mi
·
9 min
·
George Brett Super Highway
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
18
Keep slight left at fork onto I 670; I 70 Alt
0.2 mi
·
21 sec
·
I 670; I 70 Alt
Exit 2L
Toward I 670 West, I 70 Alternate, I 35 South: Topeka, Wichita
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
19
Take the exit
0.2 mi
·
24 sec
Exit 2P
Toward 13th Street, Downtown
Use the slight right lane.
20
Continue on East 13th Street
0.2 mi
·
34 sec
·
East 13th Street
21
Turn right onto Oak Street
454 ft
·
13 sec
·
Oak Street
22
Arrive at destination
Oak Street
Trip Plan
To make the most of your 6-hour and 13-minute travel time, plan to depart early in the morning to avoid peak traffic near Kansas City. Since you only have one planned stop along the way, use that break strategically to stretch your legs and refuel before committing to the longest 176.4-mile highway segment. Keep an eye on your fuel gauge during the interstate portion, as keeping your tank topped off will help you stay within your $45 budget. Because this route is largely highway-based, the biggest advantage you have is flexibility; if you find yourself ahead of schedule, you can easily adjust your pace to arrive in Kansas City at your convenience.
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 147.8 miles from Ironton, MO, or about 3h 28m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 176.4 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 2h 3m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 147.8 miles or 3h 28m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 12m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Kansas City, MO than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ironton, MO so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ironton, MO
This is one driving day of about 295.7 miles and 6h 13m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ironton, MO.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on I 70 for about 176.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 147.8 mi from Ironton, MO · 3h 28m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
148 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 147.8 miles from Ironton, MO, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Before the longest stretch
Fuel checkTop up before I 70 if your tank is already low. That segment runs about 176.4 miles.
Arriving in Kansas City, MO
The final approach into Kansas City, MO usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Kansas City, MO.
After long uninterrupted mileage, take five minutes before the last urban segment to reset and refocus on exits, merges, and city traffic.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$44.91 one way
$89.83 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
104 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $49.51 | $99.02 |
| premium | $4.80 | $55.82 | $111.64 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $65.69 | $131.39 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$45
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$70–$95
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 103.5 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $31 in charging · 1 stop · 66% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 88.7 | 1 | $31.05 | $14.19 |
| Efficient EV | 73.9 | 0 | $25.87 | $11.83 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 118.3 | 1 | $41.40 | $18.92 |
Gas CO2
103 kg
EV CO2
35 kg (66% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Kansas City, MO
Afternoon in Kansas City on Sunday
Local time
1:38 PM
CDT
Current temp
49°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
5 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
6h 13m on the road
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Ironton, MO to Kansas City, MO covers 295.7 miles and takes about 6h 13m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are I 70, MO 47, MO 21. Most of the drive stays on highways, so watch for ramps and exits.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 147.8 miles from Ironton, MO. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $44.91 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour. This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This drive requires moderate attention. Across 295.7 miles you will encounter 12 spots where lane choice or exit timing matters. Not difficult for experienced highway drivers, but worth previewing the tricky sections before you go.
The main spots that need attention: at 72.6 miles (US 50; MO 47): Lane positioning matters here; at 73.1 miles (MO 47): Lane positioning matters here; at 104.2 miles: Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
On the drive from Ironton, MO to Kansas City, MO, road signs begin pointing toward Jonesburg along the way.
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